PhilHealth's YAKAP program expands to offer 75 free medicines, cancer screenings

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) has included screening tests for the four top cancers, and 54 more medicines that may be availed of for free under its Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP),  PhilHealth spokesperson Israel Francis Pargas said on Wednesday.

With the 54 new drugs offered for free under the Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) program, there are now 75 free medicines available.

“We also have expanded the YAKAP program to include screening test po para doon sa four top cancers in the Philippines: Iyon pong breast cancer, so mayroon tayong libreng chest mammography at saka po chest, breast ultrasound," Pargas said on "Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon."

"Para naman po sa liver cancer, we have libreng Alpha-fetoprotein at para po sa lung cancer, mayroon tayong tinatawag na low-dose CT scan; and para po sa colorectal cancer, iyon pong libreng colonoscopy screening examination,” he added.

(We have also expanded the YAKAP program to include screening tests for the four top cancers in the Philippines: For breast cancer, we have free mammography and breast ultrasounds; for liver cancer, we have free Alpha-fetoprotein; for lung cancer, we have what is called a low-dose CT scan; and for colorectal cancer, we have the free colonoscopy screening examination.) 

Before the additional free services and medicines, YAKAP offered free consultations, 13 free laboratory procedures, and 21 free medicines.

The medicines may be availed through YAKAP-accredited clinics with which PhilHealth members are registered. –NB, GMA Integrated News